dear backwards54,
It's great you have these travel plans, and a very good step was to register here!
The people here are very friendly and helpful, they give you very good first hand information,
and answer all your questions. Being able to benefit of the experience of others is the most priceless
possession you can have of your trip or in preparation of it.
I started with mine with a book, "First time around the world" from "Rough Guide" very good book,
you should read it, it will take care of all the basic questions you have.
1) The seasons in which to travel, was a also a problem I had, but a thought it true.
In my position it just didn't matter because I friggered that just by traveling a few miles the problem would be solved. I know, at first it looks kind of ignorant, but I my case traveling for a year, it's not that stupid and also
I won't welt from a bit of rain and being from Belgium I'm used 2 it ;-))
2) Like you say, your budget depends on everything you want to do the biggest expenses are your excursions
food, sleep and travel. 7000$ is a lot of money if your only traveling for a 4 months. Youth hostels are a good way of saving good money and I suggest you travel as much as possible over land, it's cheaper and you'll get a
better experience, you'll more chance to meet people and see things.
But 7000$ is enough money to travel Asia, depending on how you will travel.
If you research it in books and on the net, the all come with a budget of 15 to 50$ a day depending on how you travel. But In my personal experience, the more money you take with you, the more you spent...
Also it's very important you have a back-up budget, money in reserve in case of emergency, a please have the discipline not to touch it!!! I learned the hard way, and I can tell you it's not very funny...
Also a good thing would be not to plan to much in advance, not knowing what/who you will encounter, it is hard to plan a trip perfectly in advance, it will never come true.
You should research your countries, look @ the places you would like too see, research possible sleeping places book the first one and go with the flow. It'll spice up your experience.
Have fun and take care!!!
Ps. To all who write, your just great!!! I wish I'd discovered you sooner!!! much much sooner, thanks for all!
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